CXXIV EEPOET OF THE SECRETARY C»F AGRICULTURE. 



there were nearh' 5,740,000 farms in the United States, covering an 

 area of 841 million acres, of which 415 million acres consisted of 

 improved land. These farms had a total value of $16,675,000,000, 

 exclusive of farmino- implements and live stock. Farm implements 

 and machiner}' formed an item of 761 million dollars, while the value 

 of the live stock on farms exceeded 3 billions of dollars. 



As further indicating the importance of agriculture in the United 

 States, it is a striking fact that, according to the returns of the last 

 census, about 40 million people, or more than half of our total pop- 

 ulation in 1900, resided on farms. Of the 29 million persons com- 

 prising the portion of our population engaged in gainful occupations, 

 about 10 million, or more than a third, were returned as employed ia 

 agricultural pursuits. The people that work upon the farm outnum- 

 ber bj^ more than 3 million persons those who are occupied in the 

 manufacturing and mechanical pursuits. 



In 1899, according to the census returns, the produce of American 

 agriculture, including farm animals and their products, had an aggre- 

 gate value of nearly 5 billion dollars. Some of the crop values that 

 make up this total were almost startling in their size. The crop of 

 Indian corn, which formed the leading item, had a value of 828 million 

 dollars. The hay and forage of the census year were worth 484 

 millions. Wheat, which ranks next to corn among our cereal crops, 

 gave a return of 370 millions, while oats were produced to the value 

 of 217 millions. Cotton, the great crop of the Southern States, was 

 valued at 324 millions. 



In addition to these foremost crops, there were numerous others 

 yielding returns in value that ran into the millions. Live stock and 

 their products formed an exceedingly important factor in the grand 

 total. The animals sold and slaughtered during the year were valued 

 at above 900 millions. The several products of the dairy — milk, but- 

 ter, and cheese — comprised an item of 472 millions, while poultr}^ and 

 eggs together brought a return of over 281 millions. 



As a result of the intelligent application of improved methods to 

 American agriculture, the produce of our farms has enabled us to 

 increase the volume of our exports everj" year. Products of agricul- 

 ture form about two-thirds of our entire export trade. Last yenv the 

 exports from the farm amounted to 860 millions of dollars. The 

 science of agriculture is in rudimentary stages in all lands. The edu- 

 cation of producers from the field, so long neglected, has recently 

 been unelertaken in earnest in the United States. Our Government is 

 doing more for the farmer than all other nations combined. Results 

 are justifying expenditures, and the future will still further show the 

 value of science applied to the farm. 



Respectfully submitted. James Wilson, Secretary. 



W^ASHINGTOX, D. C.J November 29, 1902. 



